Here at the Meyer Clinic, we have been providing a general medical service, with an integrated medicinal approach in our clinic for the past ten years. Our approach is holistic, and focuses on both prevention and proactivity.
We understand that the Christmas period is fast-approaching and for many people, it is seen as a time of pure indulgence. Christmas often involves a plethora of sweet foods and alcoholic drinks aplenty. However, it is possible to enjoy the festivities of this time of year but without the over-indulgence. There are a few simple steps, which can help us maintain our health and wellbeing over Christmas.
Below we highlight ten ways to enjoy the festivities but also stay healthy:
- Keep active – even if this means running around after the kids or grandchildren or having a post-Christmas lunch walk. Get out and about in the fresh air and remember to take any new scooters, bikes or balls with you.
- Take supplements – supplements can be very useful when your diet may be a bit poorer than usual.
- Keep your brain active – instead of watching TV, play games with your family, such as charades and Trivial Pursuits. These keep the brain active and can be lots of fun!
- Do a kind deed – maybe you could visit a neighbour who doesn’t have any family nearby and give them some mince pies and some of your time. Or you could help out at a local fete or Christmas carol service.
- Think before you snack – just take a minute before you eat a snack to consider whether you really want to eat it or is it just because it’s right there in front of you.
- Soft drinks in between alcoholic drinks – it’s easy to get carried away with alcohol over Christmas and New Year, so just try to keep tabs on how much you are drinking and intersperse some soft drinks in between alcohol.
- Don’t over eat – it can cause indigestion and heart burn as well as causing weight gain. Eat a usual portion size, then wait 20 minutes and see if you are still in the mood for more food. (It takes this long for the stomach to tell the brain it is full!)
- Try to chill out – don’t stress out about the number of visitors or whether the potatoes are crispy enough or the sprouts are undercooked. Try to keep a sense of humour and proportion over things. After all, it’s just one day of the year, and it isn’t worth getting stressed out.
- Keep up your fruit and veg intake – with all the late nights and Christmas parties; it is a good idea to keep up with your vitamins and minerals from fruit and veg, so try to maintain your five a day.
- Don’t poison your guests! – This sounds obvious, but December is a common month for people to get food poisoning. Don’t leave food out all day and try to put out small amounts at a time. Ideally, try to use leftovers within 48 hours, or you could freeze them. Follow the instructions for cooking your turkey safely.
Most of all, have a very merry and joyous Christmas and a peaceful New Year.
If you would like to book an appointment for a health check in 2018, please contact the Meyer Clinic on 01243 778888